Tomorrow, a Latino-Inspired Philly Chef Competition With a Cause

CENTER CITY — On Wednesday, December 14, from 6-8:30 p.m., some of Philly's brightest culinary stars will combine food and art at Cooks Who Care's second annual Philly Art & Food event happening at Coda (1712 Walnut Street). The participating chefs and pastry chefs (listed below) will compete against each other with Latino-artist-inspired dishes. Winners, chosen by the guests and a panel of judges, will receive Singer Equipment's Culinary Champion and Amoretti's Pastry Champion Awards. Cocktails, live Parranda music, and coffee and espresso drinks byTop Hat Espresso are included in your ticket ($55 online, $65 at the door). Proceeds go to Taller Puertorriqueño, an organization which promotes and preserves Puerto Rican and Latino culture with educational programs, art exhibits, and community events.

BELLA VISTA — Today, November 30, is The Good King Tavern's 3rd birthday, and the crew is celebrating Parisian-style, turning their French tavern into a "cave à manger". Think of a cave à manger like a hybrid boutique wine shop-restaurant — the wine's the focus, the food complements. So instead of the regular bar-dining room arrangement, there will be some standing room, some seating (reservations available from 5-6 p.m.), an extensive offering of by-the-glass pours, wine professionals acting as guest sommeliers, plus small plates by Nicholas Bazik and a live cheese counter for picking. The festivities begin at 5 p.m.

SOUTH PHILLY — Just in time for the winter chill, Taproom on 19th is hosting its third annual Chili Challenge this Sunday, December 4, from 5-8 p.m. Admission is free to guests, and so are chili samples—this year, 20 contestants are participating in the throwdown, so make sure to come hungry.

EAST PASSYUNK — What happens when you pair European and American cheeses with Malaysian sambals, sauces, and other condiments? Apparently, something one-of-a-kind. On Tuesday, December 6, head to Saté Kampar for a $45 four-course cheese-themed dinner led by Malaysian chef-owner Ange Branca and Singapore-born Jamie Png, a local cheesemaker and former cheesemonger. Ben Wenk of Three Springs Fruit Farm will also be on hand pouring samples of his brand new Ploughman Cider. Buy your tickets here.

November 22

POINT BREEZE — American Sardine Bar is celebrating its fifth birthday with a full-on block party on Wednesday, November 23 starting at 4 p.m. Yeah, it's cold, so they'll have fire pits and piñatas to keep you running warm and sardine dishes by a whole bunch of guest chefs, plus "rare drafts and crushable cans". See the chef and beer line-ups here.

EAST PASSYUNK AVENUE — Nick Elmi's East Passyunk wine-cocktail bar ITV is throwing a Thanksgiving Eve (November 23) party called Gobble And Wobble Wednesday filled with Beaujolais and Boulevardiers drink specials, sweet and sour turkey tails, and a turkey-shaped ice luge (with Wild Turkey shots). Festivities start at 9:30 p.m.

CENTER CITY — Cinder, Center City's brand new beer bar, is hosting its first-ever beer event with one of the nation's first wild ale producers Jolly Pumpkin Brewery. The tap-takeover starts at 2 p.m. on November 23. Get there between 2-6 p.m.

November 3

OLD CITY — Jose Garces's Amada is hosting its annual Pig Out on Sunday, November 13. Choose between three seatings: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and feast on unlimited suckling pig with authentic Spanish sides and an apple bacon caramel tartlet for dessert. It's $60 a pop, and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 215-625-2450.

WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST — On Monday, November 14, The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to creating global citizens through speakers, student education and trips, will bring together three of Philadelphia's brightest chefs, Tova du Plessis, owner of Essen Bakery, South Philly Barbacoa's co-owner Ben Miller (a restaurant-oriented advocate for immigration reform), and Ange Branca of Saté Kampar for a multicultural "Friendsgiving" of sorts. From 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m  on the 12th floor of 601 Walnut Street, eat Israeli chocolate-halva babka, Mexican tortas, and all kinds of Malaysian goodies while listening to the chefs tell their stories. General admission is $30, members get in for $20, and for $35 you can become a member and get in for free (plus discounted member prices for all other events for an entire year). Register here.

October 18

Abe Fisher/Facebook

CENTER CITY — For this month's Pizzeria Vetri "Pizza Jawn" collaboration, Abe Fisher's Yehuda Sichel created a pork belly reuben pie complete with whole grain mustard cream, braised cabbage, young pecorino and Russian dressing. The specialty pizza is available now through October 23.

SOUTH PHILLY — The night of October 27 is Whiskey & Fine Spirits Fest, the biggest, most raucous liquor-drinking experience Philadelphia has to offer. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m, 801 Market Street (the old Strawbridges building) will host over 200 whiskey, scotch, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and cordial purveyors, and you can sample as many as your heart desires, or your liver is capable of. Plus, over 20 of the city's best restaurants will join the fun (check the full line-up here). Make sure to hit up one or all of the 12 "spirit lounges" (basically pop-up bars) for a more focused bar experience. Buy your tickets here.

CENTER CITY — Earlier this year, upper-story New American Aldine went full-local in terms of the bar's spirits selection. And in honor of Philly Craft Spirits Week (October 27-November 4), co-owner Jennifer Sabatino will host "A New Gin-eration" Happy Hour on Saturday, October 29 from 5-7 p.m. Reps from local distillers Manatawny Still Works, Rowhouse Spirits, Blue Bird Distilling, County Seat and The Revivalist will be on hand while the bar deals out gin flights and classic cocktails.

PENN'S LANDING — Back in the beginning of September, Donald Trump surrogate — and Latinos for Trump co-founder — Marco Gutierrez famously said in an MSNBC interview "My culture is a very dominant culture, and it's imposing, and it's causing problems. If you don't do something about it, you're gonna have taco trucks every corner." Fringe Arts's American brasserie La Peg couldn't be more excited about the prospect. Tonight, October 19, starting at 9 p.m., Peter Woolsey and his crew will turn the restaurant's outdoor food truck into a taco truck for tonight's "proudly biased" debate viewing party. On deck: $3 carnitas or black bean and pineapple tacos and $3 Narragansetts and Lionsheads.

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October 11

FISHTOWN — QC Malt, Philly's all-new hard soda company, is hosting its launch party at Garage North this Thursday, October 13.There will complimentary Little Baby's ice cream, Mama's Pierogis, and June Allen BBQ, plus ski ball competitions, corn hole competitions, giveaways, and drink specials.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS — Di Bruno Bros. is hosting its third annual cheese crawl on Saturday, October 15, from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Attendees will stop at each of the five retail locations, sample beers, cheese, and finish the day in the Italian Market with an outdoor street festival full of cheese wheel sculptors, magic, trivia, and cheese pops. Tickets are $20; buy them here.

QUEEN VILLAGE — Sunday, October 16 is the Bainbridge Green Brunch Fest, an outdoor festival supporting the new Bainbridge Green — a community-driven effort to transform Bainbridge Street from 3rd to 5th Streets into "Philadelphia's next great public space". Ela, Southwark, Whetstone,Hungry Pigeon, The Good King Tavern, South Street Bagels, Kanella, Sabrina's Cafe, Little Bird Bakery and Plenty Cafe will provide the food, Ox Coffee is in charge of coffee, and Stateside Distilling and 13th Street Cocktails will be mixing up brunch cocktails. Ticket packages go as follows:

• $25 Student = 4 food tickets + bottomless coffee
• $35 Individual = 5 food tickets + 1 drink ticket + bottomless coffee
• $70 Family = 12 food tickets + 2 drink ticket + bottomless coffee
• $150 VIP ticket = private tasting with the chefs (10 to 11am) + 2 drink tickets + bottomless coffee

EAST PASSYUNK — Alexander Talbot, author of the blog Ideas in Food and chef of Stockton, New Jersey's Curiosity Donuts, will be taking over the kitchen at ITV, Nick Elmi's new wine bar and restaurant on East Passyunk Avenue, on Wednesday, October 19, serving up donuts and fried chicken from noon to sell-out. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can reserve your seat here.

FISHTOWN — It's Kensington Quarters's birthday on Wednesday, October 26, and the Fishtown butcher shop/restaurant is having a party. Enjoy complimentary bites by Damon Menapace, plus wines, beers, ciders and fall cocktails by GM/wine-guy Tim Kweeder. The party goes from 6-9 p.m.

September 26

PENN'S LANDING — Audi FEASTIVAL, a FringeArts benefit hosted by Stephen Starr, Audrey Claire and Michael Solomonov (what some might consider the best chef's event Philly has in its arsenal) is happening this Thursday, September 29 starting at 7 p.m. And because it's just so damn popular, the event organizers released 200 more tickets, which you can buy here. Zahav, Townsend, Vernick, Noord, and Wm. Mulherin's Sons are just a few of the many restaurants participating this year.

ITALIAN MARKET — Restaurant Neuf, the Italian Market's French-by-way-of-North-Africa bistro, is turning one this Friday, September 30, and to celebrate, owners Joncarl Lachman and Bob Moysan will be offering a $40 prix fixe three-course dinner plus $8 champagne cocktails. The kitchen is open till 10 p.m. and bar is open till midnight.

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